Dear Participants,
On behalf of the United Nations, I extend a warm welcome to the first Youth Russian Internet Governance Forum, also known as Youth RIGF.
I commend the organizers on this important initiative. Youth participation has been a vital component of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, convened annually by the United Nations Secretary-General since 2006.
The IGF 2020 Global Youth Summit called for multi-stakeholder action to:
? bridge the digital divides,
? transform and improve traditional education systems, and
? advance capacity in Internet governance for future leaders and experts.
I am confident that this first Youth RIGF will make a timely contribution to the 16th session of the Internet Governance Forum. It is scheduled to take place in Katowice, Poland, from 6 to 10 December 2021, under the overarching theme: Internet United.
In this challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internet has proven vital – it connects us online, allowing us to study, to telecommute, to stay in touch with family and friends, and to continue providing essential public services.
But the pandemic has also exacerbated existing problems related to:
? online security and safety,
? data protection and utilization,
? freedoms and rights on the Internet, as well as
? the growing digital divides, particularly the gender digital divide.
In our multi-stakeholder endeavors to find inclusive solutions, youth will have a big role to play. Indeed, the dynamics of the Internet are very much driven by youth.
On the part of the United Nations, we will further enhance youth engagement in the IGF. Today’s youth will be tomorrow’s Internet leaders and experts. Thus, investment in youth is an investment in our future.
In this context, please keep in mind that there are still more than 3.6 billion people without affordable access to the Internet.
Among the world’s 46 least developed countries, more than 80 per cent of the population is still offline. And, the gender gap in online access and connectivity continues to widen.
How can we stop this trend, and how will the future of the Internet evolve – such questions will be largely answered by you. You Are Our Future.
I call on all participants at the Youth RIGF to use your creative energy to contribute to an open, secure, stable, accessible and inclusive Internet. An Internet that will help expedite the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Let us work together to ensure that our world will be truly connected. Not only digitally, but also in our shared commitment to the aspirations and values of the United Nations.
I wish everyone an exciting, collaborative and fruitful Youth RIGF.
I thank you.